About 6000 north Queensland homes are without power and the rail line between Mackay and Cairns is closed due to ex-cyclone Oswald.

The low pressure system is generating strong winds and heavy rain as it hovers southwest of Cairns.

Fallen tree branches have hit powerlines and there are reports a trampoline has blown into lines in Cairns, Ergon Energy said.

Ergon crews were trying to restore power to 6000 homes in the area.Rail services between Mackay and Cairns have also been closed because of localised flooding over tracks, while the Bruce Highway may be closed later today in parts.

There's a weak chance ex-cyclone Oswald could re-form as it heads out to sea at the weekend.

A massive monsoon trough spans as far south as Gladstone and some areas have had a metre of rainfall in the last four days.

More than 300mm of rain has fallen in parts of north Queensland, including 341mm at Paluma, north of Townsville in the past 24 hours.

The majority of north Queensland has received between 100 and 00mm in 24 hours.